That seems to be the $64,000 question; or according to the Daily Times - the $288,000 question. The answer is almost assuredly - NO!
My only quarrel with this morning's well researched piece by Greg Latshaw is the title - "Privatizing liquor would cost $288K". As Latshaw addresses in the article, increased licensing fees and/or other taxes would more than make up for the loss of the annual dispensary contribution to county coffers. Drinkers would still receive lower prices and better selection from a privatized system.
The Daily Times editorial page is on record as supporting, if somewhat softly, privatization. The paper's coverage of the issue has been fairly well balanced. Why, then, did the news editors pick such a misleading headline?
I can't even speculate. However, we shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth given the above average coverage of the issue to date.
cross posted at Delmarva Dealings
My only quarrel with this morning's well researched piece by Greg Latshaw is the title - "Privatizing liquor would cost $288K". As Latshaw addresses in the article, increased licensing fees and/or other taxes would more than make up for the loss of the annual dispensary contribution to county coffers. Drinkers would still receive lower prices and better selection from a privatized system.
The Daily Times editorial page is on record as supporting, if somewhat softly, privatization. The paper's coverage of the issue has been fairly well balanced. Why, then, did the news editors pick such a misleading headline?
I can't even speculate. However, we shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth given the above average coverage of the issue to date.
cross posted at Delmarva Dealings
7 comments:
Why do we hold on to such a system? Government, on any level, has never been able to run a business ie; post office vs. ups or fed ex, as profitable as the private sector. Could good old fashion cronieism possibly be in play? AS you can tell, I have a firm grasp of the obvious!
We are still in this archaic system because some of those good ole boys like playing with all that money. Even big liquor distributors are jumping on this end the system bandwagon. It is time, how can a free market be expected to exist when the government won't allow competition?
Big liquor companies will be involved in the system's demise. Restaurants and Bars make up half of their sales, who do you think they will support? They know where their bread and butter comes from.
Restaurants and bars have to buy from the liquor stores not the big liquor companies.
Another good post G. A. It is past time to rid the county and its citizens of this questionable organization. Any activity that refuses to turn over their books to a government agency that has authority (persieved or not) to request a review of such, smacks of cover-up, whether there is any or not. Best we get those books audited from the LCB and right away!
A. Goetz
Can yall please tell me????
What businesses should the government be in??? You keep saying it shouldn't be in the liquor business.
Then shouldn't it get out of the civic center business?? That one actually loses money!
BC in NC
gov'mint shouldn't be in any business.
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